Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) has unveiled a whitepaper outlining its findings on the efficiency and environmental impact of implementing a Railveyor system at its Goldex mining complex in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Canada.
The report has detailed the system’s influence on reducing operational costs, enhancing safety, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Goldex, an underground gold operation, had faced logistical challenges due to its deeper zones and low-grade ore. To address these, AEM integrated the Railveyor system into its operations in 2017, replacing traditional diesel truck haulage with this advanced all-electric solution.
“The results have been transformative,” the miner said.
According to its internal studies, the Railveyor system achieved up to a 39% reduction in mine-wide emissions compared to diesel trucks, a significant step towards the company’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
The system’s energy efficiency was also validated by a study from NRCan-CanmetMINING, confirming that the Railveyor operates within 6% of its expected energy usage. With its low operational costs — reducing OPEX by as much as 75% compared to truck haulage — Railveyor has proven itself as a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for material transport in mining, the producer noted.
“Goldex Railveyor has been optimized since 2017, resulting in strong production in recent years. The system integrates the latest technologies like LTE networks and AI, operating in line with theoretical energy consumption models. The stability and predictability of electrical energy costs, as opposed to fossil fuels, further contribute to the overall benefits,” said Christian Lessard, maintenance superintendent at Goldex.
Tas Mohamed, interim CEO of Railveyor, added: “The success of the Railveyor at Goldex highlights the importance of collaboration between our team and AEM. This partnership has demonstrated that Railveyor is not just a viable alternative to traditional methods but a superior one in terms of safety, cost, and environmental impact.”
Sources: railveyor.com and agnicoeagle.com